Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC is thanking loyal supporters of the United National Congress, while sending a clear warning to political opponents.
One day after the party’s 37th anniversary celebrations on Saturday, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar praised members in a post to her socials for standing firm through what she described as years of hardship, exclusion and political attacks, particularly during the party’s decade in opposition.
See her full statement below:
Last evening at the UNC congress, I expressed gratitude and love to my UNC faithful. There is nothing more honourable than loyalty. I will forever be thankful and loyal to my loving UNC membership. 
“This evening, as I look upon you, I feel something far deeper than political pride. I feel love. I feel gratitude.
Because when I look at you, I see the people who stood with our great UNC party and me.
I see the people who held faith when faith was tested.
I see the people who, for years, decades, endured insult, exclusion, hardship, propaganda, betrayal, and disappointment, and yet never surrendered their love for our party or their hope for our nation.
I say this to you plainly, fully, and with all of my heart:
Thank you.
Thank you for your loyalty through the storms.
Thank you for your prayers in the hard times.
Thank you for your faith when others doubted.
Thank you for your courage when our party was attacked.
Thank you for carrying on our party for thirty-seven years.
And thank you for carrying me, too, as your MP for 30 years and as your leader for 16 years.
I also see some new faces, young and old, who I am very happy to welcome to the party.
But I also see some people here who were around when we were last in government, whom I haven’t seen for many years. I want you to know that I see you, and while I may forgive you because that is how I am, I will never ever forget your absence during our ten hard years in opposition. You know who truly loves you when you have nothing material to give.
Between 2015 and 2025, I watched how my supporters were excluded, abused, and kicked by some on the other side. I want those people who oppressed my UNC faithful to understand that I’m a different human being.
I really don’t think some people understand how different I am now. I am not going to advantage anyone, but I will square up the account because the bad treatment of good people cannot go unanswered.
I have nothing to lose; we lost everything before, and we rebuilt it. Those who want peace will get peace; those who want war will get total political war.
But this evening is about peace and love on this 37th anniversary of our great party, and after one year in Government, I stand before you all humbled and deeply moved by your love, loyalty, and support.
As you came from all over the country, I am sure you saw a yellow Poui in full blossom somewhere. The UNC rank-and-file membership, like the beautiful yellow Poui tree, is a testament to endurance.
Most striking after a dry, difficult season when the landscape is worn and faded, it bursts into a brilliant yellow that is bold, radiant, and impossible to ignore.
So too is the United National Congress. We were born out of struggle. At a time when many felt overlooked and unheard, the UNC rose to bring dignity and opportunity to all citizens.
Rooted in purpose, we have weathered many seasons and have grown to over 300,000 members and supporters. Under the leadership of the late Mr Panday, and then myself, we remain committed to fairness, equality, and a better future for all citizens.
And one day, just like Mr Panday, I will not be here again. A day will come that’s the last day we see each other, and we won’t even know it. But always remember, like the Poui in full bloom, we are resilient, we are bold, and we endure. We are the United National Congress. 37 years of purpose. 37 years of progress. Happy Anniversary, UNC Family.
UNC and Proud!”